THE ARTIST'S PORTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1920, Page 10

THE ARTIST'S PORTION.

PENSIONS IN OLD AGE. London, July 15. The Civil List makes provision for the payment of the following pensions:— Madame Albani-Gye, singer £lOO Mrs, Gordon Stables, widow of the late Dr. Gordon Stables .. 1f75 Sir William Watson, poet (in addition to existing pension of £100) ~t ;£ioo Mme. Albani, who married Mr.-Earnest Gye, the impressario, was one of the most famous singers of her day. She was born near Montreal 68 years ago, studied in Paris and Milan, and made her debut at Messina in 1870 in Bellini's "La Somuambula." Mme Aibaui appeared with famous operatic companies in England, the United States, Russia, and Germany, and toured Australia, South Africa, Canada, and India. She was at one time Court Singer to the German Emperor, and holds the Orders of Merit of England, Denmark, and Germany. In IUII she published a book entitled "Forty Years of Song." Dr. Gordon Stables was one of the best-known writers of stories for boys. He wrote largely for tlip Boys' Own Paper, his tales dealing with school life and sport. Sir William Watson was knighted in 1917. He was born in Yorkshire,in 185S, and lias published many volumes op poems, the first being "The Prince',, Quest," issued in .1880. In 1002 he wrote an "Ode on the Coronation of King Edward VII." and his collected poems were published in two volumes in 1900. His most recent works are "Retrogression," 1916; "The Man Who Saw," 1917; and "The Superhuman Antagonists," 1919.